as in to catch
to move fast enough to get even with she had to hurry to overtake her friends, who had forgotten their umbrellas the thunderstorm overtook them suddenly

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overtake Superman and Krypto have overtaken Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (2006), which earned $200 million throughout its time in theaters, in ten days. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 19 July 2025 That said, there’s room for a running back to overtake D'Andre Swift, who was disappointing last year. Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 Just days ago, speculation swirled about a potential normalization agreement between Israel and Syria — a breakthrough quietly brokered by U.S. officials, but that fragile prospect has been swiftly overtaken by violence, as Israeli airstrikes this week struck near Damascus. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025 Joel’s pre-fame suicide attempts have been documented before, but their inclusion here indicates the first suggestion of the darkness that would overtake him in the future. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
  • As a result, the show launched with little fanfare and caught the media completely off guard.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Chisholm was caught sleeping and doubled up at first on a ball that didn’t leave the infield.
    James Oconnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The song is a tribute to musical nomads who chase the impulses of a song around the globe.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 14 July 2025
  • An ax-wielding stranger initially mistaken for a delivery driver chased a woman into her home, then led deputies on a 13-mile chase, a California sheriff’s office reported.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • So far in 2025, only two live albums have managed to reach that region — and that number doubles this week. BTS Returns to the Top 10 BTS returns to the highest tier on the Billboard 200 this week with its first live album, Permission to Dance On Stage (Live).
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • The officer who punched him claimed in his police report that McNeil reached toward the floor of the car, where deputies later found the knife.
    Jeff Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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